Cotton Research and Promotion program signup period through Aug. 14

Altus – The United States Department of Agriculture is providing eligible cotton producers an opportunity to request a referendum regarding continuation of the 1990 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act.

The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 (Act) authorized a national cotton research and promotion program that is both industry-operated and funded, with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Act allows the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a board of cotton producers and importers or their representatives. The Cotton Research and Promotion Program is a cotton producer and importer funded, self-help marketing program initiated by an Act of Congress in 1966. USDA oversees the administration of this program. The purpose of this program is to strengthen Upland Cotton’s competitive position and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for Upland Cotton.

Changes were approved in a July 1991 referendum by a 60 percent majority of cotton producers and importers who voted. The Cotton Research and Promotion Act requires that once every 5 years after the date of the most recent referendum (July 1991), the Department will review the Cotton Research and Promotion Program to determine whether a referendum is needed. Following this review, the Department is to either conduct a referendum or provide persons subject to the Order an opportunity to request a referendum.

AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service) is providing an opportunity for producers to request a referendum on the 1991 Order amendments during the period Aug. 3 through Aug. 14. This is not a referendum but an opportunity for producers to sign up if they want AMS to conduct a referendum in the future. Producers who shared in acreage of Upland Cotton reported on FSA-578 are eligible to participate. (Note: Owners of farms that had Upland Cotton grown in 2014 but did not share in the crop are also eligible to sign up.)

Interested producers should visit the Jackson County Farm Service Agency at 3100 N Main Street, Suite C, in Altus, or call (580) 482-4312 for more information on participating in this signup. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.